External Drier for Trane XL14I

[sam_hikes]

compressors were fine just a bad tech...1st problem was bad king valve...
2nd problem was loose fan motor on top since installer replaced plastic top with metal one due minimal clearance. < somehow Trane paid for replacement of 2 compressors on the same unit b/4 Trane came out and figured out problem >

Great post, Mark. I couldn't have said it better. My question is; Why are the compressors failing? I suspect the original install work started the problems and an objective (Professional) opinion is needed.

[sam_hikes]

I forwarded the HACK's email to my Trane Territory Mgr for Phx plus the Field Service Rep for my account.

I explained I wanted it in writing I thought the contractor's email was BS.

Even my inside contact with the contractor says they screwed up but mgt has everyone on very short leashes and I suspect this screwup would cost em more money! (when they did the coil replacement I figured what 30 min/system to cut out the internal drier as they installed a new external drier)

[sam_hikes]

Being a dumb homeowner do Trane Territory Mgr for Phx have much power & what is a Trane Field Service Rep?

If I need to where do I escalate in Trane above them?

[jrbenny]

Trane TM = sales person for Trane distributor

Trane FSR = technical representative for Trane distributor

Any letter or email sent to Trane corporate goes to consumer group. They answer you or forward to FSR for him to handle. While the FSR has a boss, the FSR is ultimately responsible to resolve your issues.

[sam_hikes]

Thanks!

Is there an email address for Trane Corp in case local attempts fail?

Trane TM = sales person for Trane distributor

Trane FSR = technical representative for Trane distributor

Any letter or email sent to Trane corporate goes to consumer group. They answer you or forward to FSR for him to handle. While the FSR has a boss, the FSR is ultimately responsible to resolve your issues.

[dash]

Yes, jr@bigorange.com lol

[jrbenny]

Thanks!

Is there an email address for Trane Corp in case local attempts fail?

http://trane.com/Residential/CustomerCare/Feedback.aspx

[sam_hikes]

contractor just told me on my XL14I the Trane factory installed driers are not driers?

"driers that are in the system are strainers not filter driers"

Any XL14I experts out there? Is this more contractor BS and do these need to be cut out/removed during compressor replacement? ( see my original post below )

[sam_hikes]

Mark,

Are you saying there are 2 driers from the factory with the Trane XL14I?

Contractor is going to replace them I think but they are calling them "strainers" & not filter driers--are we referring to the same parts?

I emailed my FSR but did not get a reply as I suspect he responded to the contractor instead...

I did talk voice with my TM would said the contractor was talking BS on the contract being voided had they cut them out!

The thing inside the unit that looks a lot like the external filter drier your contractor installed is NOT a factory installed filter drier, It is probably a component called a "charge robber".
The factory installed filter drier inside the unit is copper, about 1.5" in diameter and about 6" long. If it is a heat pump, there are 2 of them.




Total BS from your contractor, an outright lie. Ask for that in writing.
The factory installed filter drier should have been removed the very first time they had to open up the refrigerant system. I wouldn't be so hard on someone pumping a system down and leaving it in when moving a lineset on a new system, but leaving it in through not just one, but two compressor replacements is just 100&#37; inexcusable. Following that up with outright lies to try to avoid going back and removing the filter drier is a good indication that your contractor is an incompetent hack, if you hadn't figured that out from all the repairs they have had to do already...

I recommend you get a Trane field service rep involved.
I don't know about the Phoenix area, but in my area the field reps don't sugar coat BS like that to save embarrassment for the contractor.

[mark beiser]

Yes, there are 2 internal filter driers in your Trane heat pump. There is also a check valve, so refrigerant only goes through one at a time. One for heat mode, one for cooling mode.

They are definitely filter driers and not just strainers. If you cut one open, there are desiccant beads inside of it.

[sam_hikes]

Awesome Mark!

Should both driers be cut out/removed and replaced with a bi-directional heatpump drier on the outside of the unit?

Yes, there are 2 internal filter driers in your Trane heat pump. There is also a check valve, so refrigerant only goes through one at a time. One for heat mode, one for cooling mode.

They are definitely filter driers and not just strainers. If you cut one open, there are desiccant beads inside of it.

[mark beiser]

Yes

[sam_hikes]

FINALLY...

Tech is onsite replacing my Trane XL14I Filter Driers (factory internal driers/strainers) and cut open 1 as he was always told they were just strainers--guess what he found?

Trane XL14I Filter Driers from the factory are of full desiccant beads inside so they are driers and not just a strainer.

My contractor was not aware of this even after I had my Trane TM & Trane FSR get involved--somehow they all still thought I was crazy till they cut them open.

Contractor thought they were protected since they always run with their own external filter driers on all installs? Not sure of the harm but if the factory drier isn't replaced during a compressor swap like they did for me?